WORK on a new #4m community and sports centre in Huyton is due to start next month.

WORK on a new #4m community and sports centre in Huyton is due to start next month.

The run-down pavilion on King George V playing fields off Liverpool Road will be demolished and replaced by a modern building.

Among the facilities will be three flood-lit multi-games areas, three bowling greens, three floodlit tennis courts, five football pitches and a children's play area.

There will be changing rooms for up to 10 teams with separate facilities for male and female players as well as match officials.

The centre will also feature a boxing gym and fitness area, a community hall for use by all groups and a first aid room. The sale of part of King George V playing fields to Westbury Homes for housing caused outrage last year.

Campaigners took their battle to save the land to the courts but failed to stop the development going ahead.

Revenue from the deal will go towards the running costs of the new facilities which are being jointly funded by Sport England and Single Regeneration Budget.

John Bell, director of leisure: "We have had aspirations to build new community sports facilities for many years and it is really pleasing to see we are finally able to deliver these improvements. "We are keen for the work to start as soon as possible and it is a good time because the developers will be able to get a lot of the work completed during the summer months."